Above ground and underground – An integrated approach of the burial mounds within the Suusamyr plateau, Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

Archaeological research in the Kyrghyz Tian Shan Mountains using state-of-the-art technology such as geophysical investigations and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is still in its early stages. The current investigations have shed light on the complexity of burial grounds in the Suusamyr Plateau, where over 951 structures have withstood the test of time and now serve as a silent expression of ancient civilizations. This study utilized an integrative approach that combined UAV data and geophysical prospection to map surface and subsurface features. Of the identified structures, 68.2% are burial mounds, 93% of which are simple mounds and 7% of which are complex collared mounds. The typological diversity of the burial mounds suggests that they were constructed starting with the Late Bronze Age up to the Turkic period. Subsurface investigations at four sites supplemented surface information, revealing a complex pattern of outer rings of stone circles surrounding the large burial mounds. The combined approach consisting of aerial, ground level and subsurface investigations proved invaluable for gaining an integrative perspective of the Suusamyr Plateau burial grounds. Although excavation is needed for absolute chronology, this research offers insights into prehistoric cultures and underscores the importance of continued conservation efforts, given current anthropic threats.